Landfill plans clear a hurdle

ALBANY -- The city received permission Thursday
to begin digging test wells in the Pine Bush -- a first step
toward a possible and controversial expansion of the Rapp Road
dump into the nature preserve.

Nearly simultaneously, however, the city's plan was dealt
a blow when state Assemblyman John "Jack" McEneny,
D-Albany, blocked a bill that would have allowed the city's
dump to expand by 12.6 acres in exchange for the city acquiring
another 30 acres to add to the Pine Bush.

McEneny, who sponsored the legislation, pulled it from consideration.
The assemblyman, a longtime political foe of Albany Mayor
Jerry Jennings, decided that an environmental review of the
plan should proceed before the Legislature endorses it, according
to his office.

On Thursday morning, the Pine Bush Preserve Commission voted
9-1 to allow the city to conduct archaeological and water tests
this summer. The wells will be dug in a section of the preserve
that borders the west edge of the city's landfill.

As they voted, several commission members stated that their "yes" votes
were not an endorsement of the city's bid. They said they supported
the testing permit only to learn more about the state of groundwater
in the area.

Commission Chairman Steve Schassler said the body "in
no way" backs the landfill expansion and, in fact, "reserves
all rights to challenge or oppose" the city's proposal.

Jennings, a member of the commission, applauded the vote. "I
appreciate your willingness to let us go ahead with the investigation," he
said.

Aaron Mair was the lone commission member to vote against
the temporary permit, which requires the city to pay for cleanup
after the testing is complete.

"This vote gives the appearance that it's OK to expand
the landfill," said Mair, a longtime environmental activist. "It
sends the wrong signal."

The city will now proceed with testing, which it needs to
do in order to complete its application with state Department
of Environmental Conservation. Hearings on the proposal are
likely to be held this fall.

Only after the review is done will McEneny consider reintroducing
the state bill, according to his chief of staff, Joe Galu. "The
bill is only being held, not tabled," said Galu.

McEneny's refusal to do the landfill bill rankled Jennings.
The mayor suggested that if the city loses the revenue it makes
off other communities' trash, he might have to lay off as many
as 250 General Services employees.

Despite his obvious displeasure, the mayor insisted he won't
challenge McEneny in a primary in retaliation, as some have
speculated, or even support someone to run against the assemblyman.

"I don't have time for that nonsense," Jennings
said. "If someone decides to run, I'm going to make decisions
then."

McEneny seemed unconcerned about this fall's race, saying
if someone decided to challenge him, it wouldn't be personal
but "part of the political process."

"If after 14 years, the people of Albany County don't
want me, let them take somebody else," McEneny said.

The two Democrats have always been cordial at best. But things
between them soured recently after McEneny, who lost a mayoral
primary challenge to Jennings in 1997, announced he's challenging
the mayor again this fall -- this time for his seat on the
state Democratic Committee.

"I have to raise money against him because
he's running against me as a delegate," Jennings said. "I'm
very willing to discuss our political careers publicly." Pacenza
can be reached at 454-5533 or by e-mail at mpacenza@timesunion.com.
Staff writer Elizabeth Benjamin contributed to this story.

------------------------------------------------

Albany receives permission
for test wells

But commission members emphasize "yes" votes
back groundwater testing, not expansion of landfill

By *MATT PACENZA* ,
Staff writer
*Click byline for more stories by writer.*

Last updated: 12:57 p.m., Thursday, June 22,
2006

ALBANY -- The city got permission today to begin
digging test wells in the Pine Bush, a first step toward a
possible and controversial expansion of the Rapp Road dump
into the nature preserve.

Members of the Pine Bush Preserve Commission voted 9-1 to allow
the city to conduct archaeological and water tests this summer.
The wells will be dug in a 10-acre section of the preserve
that borders the west edge of the city's landfill, which
is rapidly filling up.

Several commission members said their ``yes'' votes were not
an endorsement of the city's bid to expand the landfill. They
stated they supported the testing permit only to learn more
about the state of groundwater in the area.

Commission Chairman Steve Schassler said the body ``in no
way'' backs the landfill expansion and in fact ``reserves all
rights to challenge or oppose'' the city's proposal.

Albany Mayor Jerry Jennings, a member of the commission, applauded
the vote. ``I appreciate your willingness to let us go ahead
with the investigation,'' he said.

The city still has many hurdles to clear before it can expand
its Rapp Road facility. It would need permits from state authorities,
plus approval from the legislature. A bill before the state
Assembly was tabled without action on Wednesday.